The first time I ever tried maca, I was overwhelmed by its flavor … and not in a good way. It was almost 20 years ago when maca’s bold, malty taste was introduced to my senses, and I wondered how on earth I would use this strange superfood, which was unlike anything else I had ever tried.
My earliest maca recipe experiments were simple. I tested mixing maca in water—it definitely needed more than that. I tested mixing maca in orange juice—let’s just say you only make that mistake once. But then I tested mixing maca into energy bites, using nuts and dates as a base. While I used way too much maca on my first attempt, the result wasn’t half bad! Little did I realize at the time, I had found the secret to using maca in an enjoyable manner: flavor friends.
Maca is not a flexible superfood like, say, mild-tasting chia seeds, which can be added into just about anything. Maca has very distinctive “flavor friends,” but once aligned with these complementary ingredients (like nuts, creams, and chocolate, for example), its flavor shifts from being a rude awakening, to an immensely welcome, delicious treat that, without indulging too much into dramatic zeal, borderlines on a profound kind of taste.
Maca is rich, buttery, malty, caramel-esque, and a little earthy, in the very best of ways. Maca, used well, adds a layer of flavor in recipes that is akin to a very subtle perfume embedded in a cashmere sweater. You often can't put your finger on it, but something about it feels good.
All this boils down to the fact that maca is a pretty special superfood, and we haven’t even talked about its benefits yet! Maca is one of the most healthfully energizing foods on the planet. It is not a stimulant, but rather deeply supports your endocrine system, making it the perfect foundation for a coffee-like latte drink that will give you a boost without the crash. Try whipping up this quick, caffeine-free latte at home to really experience maca’s true flavor and its invigorating properties … it might just become your new healthy habit!
WATCH HOW WE MAKE OUR HOT MACA LATTE:
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HOT MACA LATTE PREP TIPS:
Make your own epic maca latte in less than 5 minutes with these simple tricks.
Don’t use raw maca. Raw maca can be quite difficult to digest for some people, and has a more pungent flavor. For best results, use gelatinized maca, which has had some of its fiber removed, and is more concentrated in benefits.
Do use smart fats. Adding fat to your latte not only makes it creamy and tames the flavor of maca, it also makes the latte more energizing. Coconut oil boasts high levels of MCT fats, which provide long-term energy to your body and your brain. For an even more energizing version, use a straight MCT oil (made from coconut).
Get the water nice and hot. Adding boiling water to the other ingredients in the recipe will produce a temperature-perfect hot latte every time.
Spice it up. We love a small pinch of cardamom to add a subtle amount of spice to this latte, while letting the true flavor of maca shine through. However, other spices go well with maca too, such as vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves. You can even add a little cacao powder for a chocolatey twist.
Sweeten with flavor in mind. While you can use any sweetener that you wish for this recipe (and can even use more than the recipe calls for if it suits your taste buds), we find that low-glycemic coconut sugar tastes the best due to its caramel-like flavor. To make the latte sugar-free and/or keto-friendly, use a 1:1 monkfruit sweetener instead.
Savor the foam. No foamer needed here! This latte will naturally create its own delicious foam in the blender—add it to your drink and enjoy!
MORE ENERGIZING DRINK RECIPES:
Hot Maca Latte
With its creamy, malty flavor, this quick energy drink is a great substitute for coffee.
Prep Time: 2 minutes | Cook Time: 3 minutes | Total Time: 5 minutes
Servings: 1
Author: Julie Morris Ingredients
1 cup boiling water ½ cup unsweetened almond milk 1 tablespoon coconut oil, or MCT oil 1 tablespoon maca powder 1 tablespoon coconut sugar, or alternate sweetener Pinch sea salt Pinch ground cardamom
Directions
Add all the ingredients to a blender. Blend briefly until lightly foamy on top.
Serve warm.
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